Despite losing once again this week, and to a worse team than last week even, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn't actually fall in this week's national power rankings: they're ranked 23rd on average. That's not too amazing - after all, when you're losing close games you're still going to be ahead of those losing in blowouts. Still, the national press hasn't completely given up on the Bucs.
Suddenly they need a win to keep pace in the NFC South. They're already down three games to the Falcons and we're only two days into October.
Greg Schiano lives his life in one direction.
It has been a rough start for the Bucs, but home wins over Chiefs and Saints would get Tampa Bay to 3-3.
CBS Sports (Pete Prisco) - 26th (no change):
They looked horrible in the first half against the Redskins. But Josh Freeman and the passing game came alive in the second, which is a good sign.
Pro Football Talk - 23rd (up from 24th):
A team that loses 13 of 14 games shouldn't be surprised when it loses customers.
Pro Football Weekly - 22nd (down from 21st):
Doug Martin's rushing numbers have decreased each game.
Fox Sports (Brian Billick) - 22nd (up from 23rd):
Tampa Bay is just the latest example proving that the best teams are built in the draft. After the most high-profile, free-agency period of this NFL offseason, the Bucs have purchased themselves a 1-3 record for the first quarter of the season
NFL.com (Elliot Harrison) - 23rd (down from 21st):
Tampa Bay continues to be in games, but can't close out. In fact, the defense was atrocious on the first couple of downs after Connor Barth's go-ahead field goal late in the fourth quarter. Santana Moss beat the Bucs' zone on a quick slant, and then Fred Davis gashed Washington for 20 yards over the middle after RG3 properly identified the blitz. Two plays, 35 yards, and the 'Skins were almost immediately knocking on the door. If I were a Bucs fan, I'd be ticked.